Walt Disney World is addressing growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance by quietly reducing admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, are significantly lower than the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is also cutting the costs of its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 depending on the booking time. These discounts can reach up to 27% off regular rates, according to Bloomberg.
Moreover, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to ease the financial burden of eating at Disney parks, with reported savings of 20% to 30%. The dining plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, covering various meals and snacks. The resort is reportedly offering more quick meal options, affordable kids’ meals, and increased flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney community highlight the rising costs of dining within the parks as a key factor contributing to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commends Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these actions might not genuinely reflect a commitment to guest satisfaction or affordability. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”